CLINTON 
Most people have taken part in a Secret Santa program, buying gifts for a family member or co-worker without letting them know who Santa is.

A couple of Clintonians are taking part in a Secret Santa program that involves people they do not know who have suffered from loss after Hurricane Sandy. Others in the area can join them by helping people in Union Beach, N.J.

Marcia Prucha and her 8-year-old daughter, Isabella, are helping with an effort started by John MacKinnon, of Hurricane Sandy Relief.

“Every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I always say I want to do something for someone or some organization to help those in need,” MacKinnon said. “This is the true meaning of Christmas.”

Prucha said, with the devastation along the coast from Hurricane Sandy, she and Isabella “wanted to do something tangible to help children who were victims of Hurricane Sandy. Through a friend’s Facebook update, we heard about Jack MacKinnon’s organization, Hurricane Sandy Relief, and contacted him directly to see how we might be able to help him with his efforts.”

Union Beach became the target of the effort because the area had a real need, according to MacKinnon. He had a relative who knew someone in Union Beach and how hard-hit the area was.

“That was all I needed to hear,” MacKinnon said.

“We liked that John had found a specific shelter for displaced families with direct access to the shelter and a list of their specific needs,” Prucha said. “When we saw the post-hurricane photos of Union Beach, N.J., we felt compelled to work with John and Hurricane Sandy Relief. For my daughter, it helps her understand where toys and supplies are going vs. a monetary donation. She gets to be involved in the entire donation lifecycle process: Picking out her toy donation, gift wrapping it, collecting/organizing/wrapping other donations, transferring toys to John and team, and getting to see the toys delivered to the shelter in New Jersey. Literally seeing where the gifts are going, and to whom, has helped Isabella understand the purpose and benefit of giving to help others.”

MacKinnon said the effort began at his church in Westminster, then the effort spread across the region, with collection sites in Hudson, Hopedale, Gardner, Fitchburg, Acton and Concord. Now, Prucha is also collecting.

“We created a public Facebook event called Hurricane Sandy Relief Secret Santa, inviting Facebook friends and family to become a Secret Santa to the children of these 500-plus families displaced from their homes in Union Beach, N.J.,” Prucha said. “We are collecting toys for all ages (pre-K through grade 12) via drop-offs at our home, as well as receiving donations via mail.”

Prucha said people can order a toy online and have it shipped to her house, 112-A Ridgefield Circle, Clinton, MA 01510.

“Isabella and I will gift wrap and tag the toy and get it to Jack’s team for delivery to New Jersey,” she said. “Through our Facebook Secret Santa event, we are receiving donations from the local community and as far away as San Antonio, Texas, and New Berlin, Wis.”

For more information, contact Prucha through her Facebook event page, Hurricane Sandy Relief “Secret Santa.” Toys are accepted through Dec. 11 at her home.

“Jack and his team will then pick them up, drive to the shelter in New Jersey to deliver them in person,” Prucha said. “Donated new toys should be gift wrapped and tagged with gender and age group (such as boy, age 8 to 12). Or, like several of my friends and relatives are doing, order a toy online, take advantage of free shipping many companies are offering through the holiday season, and have it drop-shipped to our house. Isabella and I will post a photo of the gift on our Facebook Event Page when it arrives, then wrap and tag it to go to New Jersey.”

MacKinnon thanked everyone who has been involved and reminded people it is an ongoing effort.

“The need will still be there long after we deliver what we have on Dec. 14,” he said. “We will travel to New Jersey on Dec. 14 and stay the weekend to help in any way we can. We do have some future donation/fundraiser ideas in the works for spring.”

Prucha said the generosity has helped her and her daughter get into the spirit.

“Isabella and I were feeling a little elf-ish this year, and are grateful for the support we’ve received in organizing this effort to help the many children and families of Union Beach, N.J., who lost their homes to Hurricane Sandy, enjoy a little holiday magic,” she said, adding, “The unbelievable generosity is greatly appreciated.”